It’s nice to know that some people still have a sense of humor in these troubled times. The owner describes this 1975 Ford F-250 4X4 truck in Caldwell, Iowa, being sold here on eBay with the bid at over $9,000 and two days to go, as a “great end-of-the-world vehicle. Tough, indestructible. Go anywhere”.
We’ve all seen the post-apocalyptic road movies, starring Kurt Russell or Mel Gibson as survivors roaming a ravaged landscape. The mystery to me is where they get the gas they’re burning up. If the world does end, this truck would indeed get you through (to where, though?). It’s both incredibly original and very nicely preserved. It’s a three-quarter-ton unit, single cab with a long bed. It’s a two-owner factory Highboy wearing its original two-tone paint (Vineyard Gold and Parrot Orange, very period) with a divorced transfer case. The chrome and the paint retain their shine. I see a few blemishes here and there, but nothing too concerning.
The owner tells us this truck from the farm country has a rock-solid 360-cubic-inch V-8 producing 196 horsepower, a four-speed manual, a three-speed transfer case with high and low ranges, locking hubs, power brakes, and a tow package.
Although the truck is certainly set up to work, it’s unlikely it ever got really down and dirty on a farm. It’s far too nice—even the bed looks very clean. Mileage is only 16,000, so it has likely been in clean storage for some time.
The price is right around the Hagerty average value for these trucks, which is $9,500. But it seems destined to go fairly higher. It’s unlikely there’s a bargain to be had here.
Look at that interior! There can’t be many left this nice since most of these Highboys were worked hard and put away wet.
The engine bay looks all-original. I can’t tell if the engine has been repainted, though.
This sixth-generation F-250 was produced from 1973 to 1979, the last of the models based on the 1965 F-Series. They built them in the U.S., Australia, and Argentina, too. “Highboy” is actually a nickname (not an official designation) for the F-250 4X4s, which used the divorced transfer case and the F-350 frame. The front suspension uses radius arms and coil springs, instead of leaf springs.
Bob Chandler’s “Bigfoot,” the first “monster truck,” was based on an F-250 Highboy. The two-barrel-carb 360 FE V8 was discontinued after 1976, replaced with the 400 unit.
There’s nothing negative to say about this truck. A little surface rust on the frame, maybe? But since it’s not going to be the bargain of the century, what would you do with it? Take it up a notch and get it on the show circuit? Or put this very capable vehicle to work, losing its incredible low-mileage originality?
Nice unit to grab onto. I used to drive up into the mountains to go snowmobiling with a guy who had a truck almost identical to this one. He put it through hell and it always came back for more.
I had a ’75 F100 4×4. I still wish I had it. One day I’m going to see if it’s still around…
Idaho not Iowa!
Gone already!
Correction, they have a 2 speed transfer case, not three. There is no gearing difference for 2WD High Range and 4WD High Range, so your only ratio difference is in 4WD Low Range. Only the F-100 4WD used radius arms and coil springs up front, F-250’s came with leaf springs.
VIIN# F26 was leaf springs all around.
nice rig !
Confusing, I know. I actually went to school at The University of Iowa, Idaho City, Ohio.
e i e i o ?
My brother bought a brand new 73 like this only green no trim strip. It was truely a beast,what memories
This was the brief era when Ford decided to provide power steering on 4×4 highboy F250s by powering the input side of a manual gearbox. The result was that the manual gears, which were not really designed to transfer that level of torque, wear out. And the rare input-side hydraulic power units are very difficult to rebuild or replace. Someone needs to introduce a retrofit kit with a power gearbox, mounting hardware, etc.
Jim of the couple of High-Boys that I’ve sold, the first thing the buyers said they were going to do is put in power steering. I believe there is a kit being produced these days.
Had a 1970 F250 same drive train for my work truck , had a 4 way fisher plow , what a beast , and it loved gas !!
If it is a f 250 highboy, it has a 3 speed transfer. H-2 WD, H-4WD, L-4WD.
If it is a F-100, it has the 2 option transfer H-2WD, and L-4WD.
Many had the 4 speed gear box, with compound low, which made up for the lack of low in the F-100-150 transfer.
Both of my fords ( f-100, and a number of F-250s ) had 4 speeds. My brother-in-law had an Automatic with “full Time 4wd” but I believe it still had a low and high option, just no 2WD option. Excellent ranch truck. Sure did love those leaking power steering axle mount cylinders.
Same with my ‘77 F250 Highboy-C6auto.has the 3speed transfer case.Notice the condition inside the 8foot ‘work-area’ of this truck! Tuff ride here! Nice.
I had a 75 hi-boy with a 4 speed and 2 speed transfer case it had a 390 it was very rusty and was used only for plowing snow which it did extremely well. It was used hard but we’ll maintained and it never stopped, it liked fuel but what it did for work it did great in every way!
Are these trucks as underpowered as they seem like they would be?
I’ve had a number of F-250s 4 x 4 highboys and a 78 4×4 Lowboy with 360’s
All had 4:10 gears and pulled campers and horse trailers just fine. I have a 75 now ( my dads, F-250, 390,4spd, 2WD, 4:10 gear ). It spent most of its life with a cab over camper and horse trailer and pulled fine in the Colorado mountains. I had a 1969 F100 (360,4spd, 2WD, ) ran fast for 150 k.
With the right gearing, the 360 was fine, the 390 way better.
Those old 5th generation F26Y’s were horrible on gas and lower back but the 360 was a good puller with all the gear choices, 2nd gear low range could climb powerlines easement roads all day. You won’t get it over 58 mph on the highway.